If you require a private interview with a benefit assessor,
please contact us to make an appointment at your local office.

If you find it difficult to access our benefit officers, we have
Visiting Officers that may be able to visit your
home to help you complete forms or offer advice. Please contact us
for further details.

If you are already claiming housing benefit and need additional
financial help, there are a number of different ways we may be able
to help through Crisis Support or Discretionary Housing
Payments.

Crisis Support (NET's)

Northumberland Emergency Transition Support, otherwise known as
NET's provides crisis support to residents of Northumberland. NET’s
is delivered as a partnership between Five Lamps, Dawn (advice) Ltd
and Voices Northumberland.

We provide crisis support in the following ways:

Emergency Support

To help meet your immediate short term needs for goods or
services that arise because of a disaster or unforeseen
circumstance.

Awards are only available for: food, baby consumables,
clothing, heating and travel and for a maximum of 7 days
support.

Community Grant or Loan

To help you remain in the community or move back into the
community after a period in supported or unsettled
accommodation.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are additional payments for
people currently receiving Housing Benefit who require further
financial assistance with their housing costs.

If you are already getting all of your rent paid by Housing
Benefit you cannot get Discretionary Housing Payments.

A discretionary housing payment may be used to pay for:

your rent where it has been restricted by the Rent Officer and
your Housing Benefit award is less than the rent charged

reductions in your Housing Benefit entitlement following
changes to the Local Housing Allowance from April 2011

increases in essential work related expenditure, such as
increased fares to work if you have had to move because you could
no longer afford to live near your work following a reduction in
your Local Housing Allowance rate

a rent deposit or rent in advance for a property that you are
yet to move into if you are already entitled to Housing Benefit for
your present home

Please note: that these are only examples of
when we may pay a Discretionary Housing Payment. If your
circumstances are different you should still apply.

We cannot give Discretionary Housing Payments towards:

ineligible service charges

increases in rent due to outstanding arrears

reductions in any benefit as a result of Jobseeker’s sanctions,
Child Support sanctions or sanctions following certain benefit
related offences

suspended Housing Benefit

rent, when you are getting Council Tax Support but not Housing
benefit

How much could you receive?

How much we give you depends on your circumstances but we cannot
guarantee we will definitely give you a payment. We look at each
case individually and will look at the following things when we
make a decision:

Your income

Your savings

If anyone else in your house can help you

If you have any loans or debts

If you could manage your money better

If you or anyone in your family is ill or disabled

If you have tried to put the situation right yourself

Please note: for housing benefit, we cannot
give you more than your total rent (less amounts for services such
as electricity or water).

If you disagree with our decision

Decisions on claims for Discretionary Housing Payments are not
subject to appeals to the Appeals Service. If you disagree with the
decision on your claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment you
should write to the council and the decision will be reviewed by a
different officer.

Change of circumstances

You should tell us immediately if your circumstances change. If
the change means we have to reduce your Discretionary Housing
Payment, you might have to pay back some or all of the payment we
have already paid you.

Help with managing your money and debt

If you are concerned about managing your money or you have
debts, try not to worry, but do not ignore your problem – it will
not go away. If you cannot pay your rent because of money problems
you may be evicted from your home. You must ask for help.

Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service
provides a financial health check service. This can help you work
out your financial priorities and make decisions about your
money.

They also have a
Budget Calculator to help you to think about your spending and
to work out whether you have enough money coming in to cover your
outgoings.

Step Change Debt Charity

Step Change Debt Charity (previously Consumer Credit Counselling
Service) provides free advice on problem debt based on whats best
for you. Everything is free and confidential, from budgeting advice
to practical Debt Management Plans. This service is available to
everyone in the UK

National Debtline

This is a telephone-based service and is a national helpline for
people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. They will
discuss debt problems with you and explain the options available to
you.

Age UK

The Money Charity

Our vision is for everyone be on top of their money as a part of
everyday life. So, we empower people across the UK to build the
skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, to make the most of
their money throughout their lives.

Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs are a not-for-profit
organisation that provides free and unbiased information on debt
management, credit cards, mortgages, loans, and other products,
allowing you to make smarter financial decisions.

GOV.UK

Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled
to?

If you are struggling to live on the money you have or are
experiencing problems with debt, you may want to think about
whether you are getting all the benefits or tax credits that you
are entitled to.

For more information and advice you can visit the central
government money advice section on Gov.uk. This also has a
wide range of public service information and links to other
organisations which you may find useful if you are looking for help
or advice.